Jim Manning was originally elected to Richland County Council in November of 2008 to represent District 8 and was re-elected for a third term in November of 2016. His District runs from the northern portion of Forest Acres, through the Northeast as far north as Lake Carolina and Long Creek. Jim’s efforts center on improving the lives of citizens residing in District 8 and all of Richland County by advocating for citizen participation, creating a thriving Decker Boulevard, ensuring safe communities with stellar schools and empowered neighborhoods.

Jim’s wife of 35 years is Sandra C. Manning, Ph.D. who is a professional School Psychologist at Richland County School District Two's Blythewood Academy. They have two adult sons, Jim, who is an Attorney at a law firm in Manhattan and Luke who received his degree in Integrated Information Technology at the University of South Carolina and works full-time in manufacturing. Son Jim is married to Amanda who is an Assistant District Attorney for Nassau County on Long Island. Jim is a member of Shandon Baptist Church where he has co-taught an adult Sunday School Class, is a member of the Gideons International, participates in several Community and Professional Organizations; and serves as the Executive Committeemen of the Satchelford Precinct. Finally, as a recreational hobby, he is a long distant runner who exercises for both mental and physical fitness.

Jim is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and as such has seen the multifaceted components of our communities and understands the human needs that must be met by a fiscally responsible and responsive County Government. Now in his third career, he is an Enterpriser who created an eclectic consulting business, Gray Hair Solutions LLC and is primarily working with Foundations and Not-for-Profits providing CEO Capacity Building, Professional Coaching, Anti Human Sex Trafficking education and Community Engagement. Jim also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Human Services Department at Midlands Tech.

Jim received Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Social Work at West Virginia University and attended night school at USC where he earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration while working at Richland County DSS. He also worked for 22 years at Midlands Center on Farrow Road, a residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities and nearly a decade with Non-Profit Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services of South Carolina, Inc. (PALSS).

On council, Jim brings his educational and professional experience to balance government budgets against people's needs to reconcile fiscal responsibility and social programs. Called an affable Social Worker by a local reporter, this is a characteristic that serves the Council well.